HUNDREDS of people enjoyed themselves at a four-day festival to toast the health of cancer battler Madison Allan.

The success of Tockholes’ first ever Real Ale Festival was described as ‘phenomenal’ after almost 600 visitors showed their support for the youngster.

The event at the Royal Arms Pub, in aid of the Madison Allan Appeal, even dedicated a special brew named Maddie’s Courage to the six-year-old.

Organiser Alison Jenkinson, who is landlady of the Royal Arms ,said the popularity of the event appreared to grow each day.

She said: “It just gathered pace, starting out with 60 people on Thursday. "On Friday there were about 100 but on Saturday, 250 people showed up, which was phenomenal.

“And yesterday (sun) it was just as popular again. We don’t know where all these people came from, but an amazing time was had by all. The weather hasn’t hurt but people just seem intent on showing their support.”

From every sale made throughought the festival, 50p was donated to the Madison Allan Appeal and there was also an auction of festival t-shirts, plus raffles.

Madison, from Lower Darwen, was welcomed as a guest of honour at the event yesterday afternoon, where organisers presented her with her very own t-shirt wearing ‘festival teddy’.

Organisers are hoping to reveal the amount raised during the event next week.

Madison needs £250,000 to continue life saving treatment in Germany consisting of trial chemotherapy treatment not currently available in the UK.

Already more than £100,000 has been raised to fund the treatment abroad and Madison’s ‘spaghetti-like’ tumour has reduced in size by two centimetres all around.

To make a donation to the Madison Allan appeal, visit www.bmycharity.com/MadisonAllanAppeal.